Overexpression of the angiogenic factor platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase in psoriatic epidermis.
Considerable evidence indicates that the microvascular changes observed in psoriasis are a result of angiogenesis. Vascular proliferation is driven by the local production of molecules which have angiogenic activity. Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PDECGF/TP) is a potent angiogenic factor active in in vivo angiogenesis assays and overexpressed in several tumour types. We have demonstrated by ribonuclease protection analysis a consistently high degree of PDECGF/TP mRNA production in lesional psoriatic skin, while immunohistochemical studies revealed strong PDECGF/TP immunoreactivity in lesional epidermis, with nuclear staining present in basal keratinocytes and cytoplasmic immunoreactivity in suprabasal layers. Non-lesional skin showed minimal PDECGF/TP mRNA production and weak epidermal immunostaining. These results indicate a potential role for PDECGF/TP in the pathophysiology of psoriasis, and reveal a target for antiangiogenesis therapy in the treatment of this disease.
Creamer
D
D
St John's Institute of Dermatology, UMDS, London, U.K.
Jaggar
R
R
Allen
M
M
Bicknell
R
R
Barker
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D004817:Epidermis / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000150:complications; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D006163:Ribonuclease T1; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013939:Thymidine Phosphorylase; D006163:Ribonuclease T1